Hanging net

ABSTRACT

A hanging net device is designed for attachment to an outer perimeter of an existing erectable net structure. The hanging net device has an interior member forming a collapsible continuous ring that is coilable. A fabric portion is attached to the interior member. Three or more elastic connectors are connected to the interior member. Each elastic connector has an elastic portion and an attachment end. The attachment end connects to the outer perimeter of the erectable net structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This present invention relates to a hanging net device. Morespecifically, this present invention relates to an improved collapsiblehanging net device that enhances disassembly, portability, storage, andefficiently stops the flight of golf balls.

[0002] Various sports, such as golf, involve nitting or throwingprojectiles, such as golf balls, toward a desired direction in a field.For practice purposes, it is desirable to capture the ball before ittravels a large distance or strikes objects or people. Existingcapturing structures include a net attached to the perimeter of acapturing frame and a rigid support frame attached to the capturingframe. The support frame is attached to the capturing frame and providesa base allowing the capturing structure to be disposed on the ground.

[0003] Also, there are various portable net devices available, such asthat disclosed in Design Patent No. D418,883 by Kwang Han Cho. Anexisting net may be attached to rigid support frame. The fabric portionis most likely to wear out first. The fabric portion catches the golfballs and objects, absorbing the most force of impact. The fabricportion is typically less durable than the other support structures thathold the fabric portion into position, since the other supportstructures are often made of metal or strong composite materials.Because the fabric portion absorbs the most impact and is less durable,the fabric portion usually needs to be replaced before the other parts.Therefore, there is a need for a fabric net that easily attaches to anexisting structure.

[0004] The fabric net needs to expand to fit various sized existingsupport structures. The fabric net should be available in differentsizes to accommodate larger sized support structures.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a hanging net device that can bemade very compact for storage. A hanging net device needs to be easilydisassembled, folded, efficiently stored in a container and transported.There is also a need for such a hanging golf net to be easy to assembleand easy to carry. The hanging net device should easily assemble anddisassemble from the existing structural members.

SUMMARY

[0006] A hanging net device fulfills the objective of being easilyfolded, efficiently stored in a container and transported. Anotheradvantage is the ease of attachment to and detachment from the existingerectable net structure.

[0007] The hanging net device is designed for attachment to an outerperimeter of an erectable net structure. The hanging net device has aninterior member forming a continuous ring. Also, the interior member canform a collapsible continuous ring that is coilable.

[0008] A fabric portion is attached to the interior member. Three ormore elastic connectors are connected to the interior member. Eachelastic connector has an elastic portion and an attachment end. Theelastic portion of each elastic connector connects to the interiormember. The attachment end attaches to the outer perimeter of theerectable net structure. The elastic portion stretches to allowconnection of the interior member to the outer perimeter of theerectable net structure. After being connected, the elastic portion thencontracts thus tightening and expanding the fabric portion to a fulldiameter.

[0009] An appropriate quantity of elastic connectors is used to properlytighten the fabric portion. The larger the interior member, then thegreater the quantity of elastic connectors that is necessary to tightlyconnect the hanging net to the erectable net structure. Normally, theelastic connectors are about evenly distributed around the perimeter ofthe interior member.

[0010] Each attachment end can have a hook, where the hook connects tothe erectable net structure. Alternately, each attachment end can use aseparable loop or other attachment methods. The loop connects to andencircles a portion of the outer perimeter of the erectable netstructure. Velcro™ is an excellent material for the separable loops.Velcro™ has a hook and pile attachment system that easily separates toallow the loop to encircle the outer perimeter of the existing erectablenet structure. Then, Velcro™ easily reattaches providing a secure gripupon the net structure. Alternately, a button snap can be used on eachseparable loop. The button snap can be used in conjunction with theVelcro™, thus providing a choice of attachment methods or two attachmentmethods that reinforce each other.

[0011] The elastic portion expands and contracts to allow attachment ofthe interior member to the outer perimeter of the erectable netstructure. The elastic portion can be formed from a rubber material, aspring or other known expandable materials. The elastic portion can beincreased in length and elasticity to accommodate larger erectable netstructures.

[0012] Typically, each elastic connector is permanently secured to theinterior member. Alternately, each elastic connector can include aconnection end. The connection end has a hook, which connects theelastic connector to the interior member. In this variation the elasticconnectors separate from the interior member. The user can then choosehow many elastic connectors to use on a particular occasion. Using moreelastic connectors will create a tighter fabric portion for catchingprojectiles.

[0013] The existing structure erectable net structure can be a portablenet device, a collapsible net device or other structure. The hanging netdevice can be attached to any structure that will provide a perimetersupport that the elastic connectors can attach upon.

[0014] The erectable net structure has an outer perimeter. Ripping andtearing can occur to the existing fabric material, which is attached tothe outer perimeter of the existing erectable net structure. The hangingnet device can be used to replace the torn existing fabric portion. Theelastic connectors provide easy attachment to the existing outerperimeter of the erectable net structure.

[0015] Further, the collapsible net device may have an arc supportsubstantially covering less than about one-third of the perimeter fabricrim, so that the projectiles stopped in the fabric portion can bemaintained behind the arc support. The arc support can be formed of afabric material.

[0016] Although the present invention is briefly summarized, the fullerunderstanding of the invention can be obtained by the followingdrawings, detailed description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

[0018]FIG. 1 is a front view of the hanging net attached to the outerperimeter of an existing erectable net structure.

[0019]FIG. 2 is a side view of an elastic connector, with a spring asthe elastic portion and a hook on the attachment end.

[0020]FIG. 3 is a side view of an elastic connector, with a rubbermaterial as the elastic portion and a loop with a button snap on theattachment end.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, a hanging net device 10 isdesigned for attachment to an outer perimeter of an erectable netstructure 102. The hanging net device 10 has an interior member 12 thatforms a continuous ring. The interior member 12 has a perimeter.Alternately, the interior member 12 can form a collapsible continuousring that is coilable. The interior member 12 can be made from metal,plastic, rubber, or other materials. Also, the interior member 12 can bemade from a durable fabric that will endure the forces applied by thestretching of the elastic connector 14.

[0022] A fabric portion 16 is attached to the interior member 12. Thefabric portion 16 can be a solid fabric, a mesh, or a combination ofmesh and solid fabric. The interior member 12 and the fabric portion 16can take various shapes including about a circle, square, triangle,ellipse or rectangle.

[0023] Three or more elastic connectors 14 are connected to the interiormember 12. Each elastic connector 14 has an elastic portion 20 and anattachment end 18. The elastic portion 20 of each elastic connector 14connects to the interior member 12. The attachment end 18 attaches tothe outer perimeter of the erectable net structure 102. The elasticportion 20 stretches to allow connection of the interior member 12 tothe outer perimeter of the erectable net structure 102. After beingconnected, the elastic portion 20 then contracts thus tightening andexpanding the fabric portion 16 to a full diameter.

[0024] An appropriate quantity of elastic connectors 14 are used toproperly tighten the fabric portion 16. The larger the interior member12, then the greater the quantity of elastic connectors 14 necessary totightly connect the hanging net device 10 to the outer perimeter of theerectable net structure 102. FIG. 1 shows five elastic connectors 14about evenly distributed around the perimeter of the interior member 12.

[0025] Each attachment end 18 can have a hook 22, where the hook 22connects to the outer perimeter of the erectable net structure 102, asshown in FIG. 2. Alternately, each attachment end 18 can use a separableloop 24, as shown in FIG. 3, or other known attachment methods. The loop24 connects to and encircles a portion of the outer perimeter of theerectable net structure 102. Velcro™ is an excellent material for theseparable loops 24. Velcro™ has a hook and pile attachment system thateasily separates to allow the loop 24 to encircle the outer perimeter ofthe erectable net structure 102. Then, the hook and pile attachmentsystem, such as Velcro™, easily reattaches providing a secure grip uponthe net structure 102. Alternately, a button snap 26 can be used on eachseparable loop 24. The button snap 26 can be used in conjunction withthe hook and pile attachment system, thus providing a choice ofattachment methods or two attachment methods that reinforce each other.Any hook and pile attachment system, similar to Velcro,™ is effectivefor connection of the separable loop 24 around he outer perimeter of theerectable net structure 102.

[0026] The elastic connectors 14 are connected to the interior member 12at the interior end 28 of the elastic connector 14. Although not shown,the interior end 28 can be similar to the attachment end 18, so that theinterior end 28 can be removed from the interior member 12. Separableloops 24, hooks 22 or button snaps 26 can be used on the interior end28, similar to the attachment end 18.

[0027] Alternately, the interior end 28 can be more permanentlyconnected to the interior member 12. Although not shown, the elasticconnector 14 can have a sleeve that accepts and encircles the interiormember 12. Also, the elastic connector 14 can be securely connected tothe interior member 12 with rivets. The elastic connector 14 can beattached by sewing, when the interior member 12 is a strong fabricmaterial, leather, or rubber.

[0028] The elastic connectors 14 have an elastic portion 20 that can beformed from rubber, a spring 30, or other expandable elastic materialswith strength and resiliency. FIG. 2 illustrates a spring 30 with a hook22. FIG. 3 illustrates a rubber elastic connector 14 with a separableloop 24 and button snap 26. The attachment end 18 partially or fullyencircles the existing support structure. Often the existing supportstructure is a closed link, thus the attachment end 18 cannot slidethrough and around the closed link without some device like the hook 22or the separable loop 24. The attachment end 18 with a hook 22 partiallyencircles the closed link. Alternately, the attachment end 18 with theseparable loop 24 separates to fully encircle the closed link existingsupport structure, then the loop 24 reconnects with a hook and pileattachment system, snaps, or claps.

[0029] The advantages of the present invention are numerous. First, thehanging net device 10, according to the present invention, substantiallyimproves portability by simplifying its structure. Second, hooks 22 orseparable loops 24 are included that easily attach to an existingsupport structure. Third, the continuous ring interior member 12 can becoilable and collapsible to provide compact storage and transportation.

[0030] Although the present invention has been described in considerabledetail with regard to the preferred versions thereof, other versions arepossible. Therefore, the appended claims should not be limited to thedescriptions of the preferred versions contained herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hanging net device for attachment to an caterperimeter of an erectable net structure, wherein the hanging net devicecomprises of: a) an interior member forming a continuous ring; b) afabric portion attached to the interior member; and c) three or moreelastic connectors, each elastic connector having an elastic portion andan attachment end, wherein the elastic portion of each connectorconnects to the interior member and the attachment end attaches to theouter perimeter of the erectable net structure, so that the elasticportion stretches to allow connection of the interior member to theouter perimeter of the erectable net structure to tightly expand thefabric portion.
 2. The hanging device of claim 1, wherein there are fourelastic connectors.
 3. The hanging device of claim 2, wherein there arefive or more elastic connectors, wherein the interior member having aperimeter, wherein he elastic connectors are about evenly distributedaround the perimeter of the interior member.
 4. The hanging device ofclaim 3, wherein each attachment end further having a hook, wherein thehook connects to the erectable net structure.
 5. The hanging device ofclaim 3, wherein each attachment end further having a separable loop,wherein the loop connects to and encircles a portion of the outerperimeter of the erectable net structure.
 6. The hanging device of claim5, wherein the separable loops having a hook and pile attachment system.7. The hanging device of claim 6, wherein the elastic portion is rubber.8. The hanging device of claim 5, wherein the separable loops furtherhaving a button snap.
 9. The hanging device of claim 8, wherein theelastic portion is rubber.
 10. The hanging device of claim 8, whereinthe elastic portion is a spring.
 11. The hanging device of claim 10,wherein each elastic connector further having an interior end, whereinthe interior end having a hook, wherein the hook of the interior endconnects the elastic connector to the interior member.
 12. A hanging netdevice for attachment to an erectable net structure, wherein the hangingnet device comprises of: a) an interior member forming a collapsiblecontinuous ring; b) a fabric portion attached to the interior member;and c) three or more elastic connectors, each elastic connector havingan elastic portion and an attachment end, wherein the elastic portion ofeach connector connects to the interior member and the attachment endattaches to the outer perimeter of the erectable net structure, so thatthe elastic portion stretches to allow connection of the interior memberto the outer perimeter of the erectable net structure to tightly expandthe fabric portion.
 13. The hanging device of claim 12 wherein thecollapsible continuous ring is coilable.
 14. The hanging device of claim13 wherein there are five or more elastic connectors, wherein theinterior member having a perimeter, wherein the elastic connectors areevenly distributed about the perimeter of the interior member.
 15. Thehanging device of claim 14 wherein each attachment end further having ahook, wherein the hook connects to the erectable net structure.
 16. Thehanging device of claim 15 wherein the elastic portion is rubber. 17.The hanging device of claim 13 wherein each attachment end furtherhaving a separable loop, wherein the loop connects to and encircles aportion of an outer perimeter of the erectable net structure.
 18. Thehanging device of claim 17 wherein the separable loops having a hook andpile attachment system.
 19. The hanging device of claim 18 wherein theelastic portion is rubber.
 20. The hanging device of claim 19 whereinthe separable loops further having a button snap.